COATESVILLE — Council Monday unanimously approved the hiring of Pennsylvania State Police Maj. John Laufer as the city’s next police chief.

Gathered for an annual reorganization meeting, all seven city council members were present for the vote that authorized Laufer’s hiring. Laufer was not present at Monday’s meeting.

A search committee originally identified Laufer as the top candidate for the job last year, but his hiring fell through in September when city council failed to gather enough votes to approve the move. Four votes were needed to approve Laufer’s hiring, but only four council members were present when the vote took place and councilwoman C. Arvilla Hunt cast the sole dissenting vote.

The council also voted Monday to formally accept the resignation of Stephen Johnson, who was sworn in as the Coatesville Police Department’s chief in December, but never officially took office due to subsequently discovered health concerns.

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City Manager Kirby Hudson told council he had spoken to Johnson on multiple occasions in recent weeks and was given a verbal resignation. Hudson said Johnson was concerned that he would not have the strength to serve as a full-time chief while also receiving treatment for cancer.

“He did not want to hold the city hostage,” Hudson said.

Before voting to hire Laufer, city council President David Collins opened a discussion to make sure all the necessary procedures had been taken to formally end the city’s relationship with Johnson.

“I just want to make sure the loop was closed so the city does not end up with two police chiefs, I don’t think the budget could support that,” Collins said lightheartedly. Council eventually voted to formally accept Johnson’s verbal resignation.

Hudson said Laufer will be paid an annual salary of $90,000. The salary is the same that Johnson agreed to and identical to what was offered to Laufer the first time he was considered.

Laufer, a Delaware County native, gained acclaim in 1985 when he confronted and subdued Sylvia Seegrist during a shooting rampage at the Springfield Mall that killed three people and wounded seven others. He currently works as the director of the State Police Bureau of Training and Education. He graduated from the State Police Academy in October 1986, a year after the Springfield Mall incident.

Several city police officers who were present at Monday’s meeting expressed optimism and excitement in reaction to Laufer’s hiring. They said the department’s officers were looking forward to the new leadership and the stability it should bring.

Laufer could be sworn in as chief at council’s first full meeting of the year on Jan. 14.